Judges 19:23 (KJV)

What does Judges 19:23 mean?

Judges 19:23 describes how the owner of the house goes outside to confront the men of the city, pleading with them not to commit a wicked act against his guest. He appeals to them as "brethren" and begs them not to do something shameful, since the guest is under his protection.

In this scene, the master of the house is speaking to a group of townsmen who have surrounded his home, demanding to abuse his guest. The host steps outside, addressing the men directly, and strongly urges them not to do such an evil thing, emphasizing the seriousness of their intended action by calling it "folly." The verse highlights the ancient custom of hospitality and the deep responsibility a host felt to protect those who had entered his home.

The Hebrew behind Judges 19:23

• "wickedly" — רָעַע (ra‘a‘): This word means to do evil or act wickedly. The host uses a strong term to describe the severity of what the townsmen are planning.
• "folly" — נְבָלָה (nevalah): This word often refers to a disgraceful or outrageous act, especially one that violates social or moral boundaries. Here, it underscores how shocking and unacceptable the proposed action is in their culture.
• "brethren" — אַח (’ach): The host calls the townsmen "brothers," appealing to a sense of shared identity and moral responsibility within the community.

Why Judges 19:23 matters

• This verse clarifies the seriousness with which ancient people viewed hospitality and the protection of guests, showing that violating this duty was seen as a grave offense.
• The strong language used by the host reveals the depth of moral outrage at the townsmen's intentions, helping the reader understand the cultural values at play.
• By calling the townsmen "brethren," the host tries to appeal to their conscience and shared values, highlighting the breakdown of community ethics in this story.